At nearly every port of call on the Ragmeg’s 10,000-mile journey, curious spectators would line the docks to see it. It was also a popular attraction at Oceanside Harbor after Germann sailed it home. But in 2005, he decided to sell the Ragmeg. On the day he was nailing up a “For Sale” sign, he heard a screech of tires and a passing driver jumped out of his car and bought the boat on the spot. Unfortunately, the man was diagnosed with terminal cancer a week later and was never able to sail it.

“For five years, he fought the cancer and refused to sell the Ragmeg, because by selling it he would be admitting defeat,” Germann said. “But because he was so sick, he didn’t take care of the boat and it fell into a deplorable condition.”

When the owner died in 2010, the Ragmeg was listed for sale again. Wilson, a South Oceanside resident with no boating experience, decided to make an offer, just to get access to the derelict boat’s slip (at the time, there’s a five-year waiting list for dock slots). Wilson mentioned his plans to a nearby stranger, not realizing that the misty-eyed man by his side was the Ragmeg’s former owner, Germann.

“When I told him I wanted to replace it with a power boat, I saw his eyes and realized I’d hurt him. He saw it going to the chain saw, so he told me its story. I knew right there it would be a mistake not to save the Ragmeg. I made the commitment to keep the boat going for the sake of Doc, because I just admired him that much.”

A year and many thousands of dollars later (Wilson won’t say how much he spent on the restoration), the Ragmeg was restored and is making her second appearance this year at the boat festival.

Wilson said that for him, the beauty of the Ragmeg is the circle of friends that he and his wife of 43 years, Linda, have met as a result of meeting Germann and the very unusual wooden dory he brought to Oceanside years ago. They include galley chief Brooks Iler (who goes by his "Willows" nickname "Badger"), boat restorer Bob McGuire, Grant Cooper (who sailed with Sterling Hayden on The Wanderer at the age of 17) and Greg MacDonald, a maritime historian and author.

“The boat is the magnet that brings people together,” Wilson said. “It might be Doc. It might be the boat. I’m not sure, but I am sure that I’m going to keep her.”